This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7040801.stm
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Queen unveils new forces memorial | Queen unveils new forces memorial |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales are attending the dedication of the new national Armed Forces Memorial. | The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales are attending the dedication of the new national Armed Forces Memorial. |
| The £6m stone circle in Alrewas, Staffordshire, bears the names of 16,000 service personnel who have died since World War II. | The £6m stone circle in Alrewas, Staffordshire, bears the names of 16,000 service personnel who have died since World War II. |
| The memorial honours those killed in combat and training as well as in acts of terrorism. | The memorial honours those killed in combat and training as well as in acts of terrorism. |
| The royal party has been joined by politicians including PM Gordon Brown. | The royal party has been joined by politicians including PM Gordon Brown. |
| There is room for 15,000 more names to be carved on the Portland stone walls of the memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum. | There is room for 15,000 more names to be carved on the Portland stone walls of the memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum. |
| The magnificence of this new memorial will, at long last, provide a fitting recognition for all those killed on duty since the end of the Second World War Prince Charles | The magnificence of this new memorial will, at long last, provide a fitting recognition for all those killed on duty since the end of the Second World War Prince Charles |
| The service began with prayers by speakers including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. | |
| During his address, the archbishop spoke of the importance of memorials. | |
| He said: "All the service and skill that keeps us secure may be invisible a lot of the time, but if we are not to be dishonest, shallow and unreal, we need to make the invisible visible once in a while. | |
| "And that's what today is about. Naming all those who have been ready to risk everything for the good of our national community and, indeed, the good of our world." | |
| The royal party is touring the memorial, designed by architect Liam O'Connor, and meeting the families of service personnel. | The royal party is touring the memorial, designed by architect Liam O'Connor, and meeting the families of service personnel. |
| Prince Charles said the people of the UK owed those whose names featured on the memorial "an enormous debt of gratitude". | Prince Charles said the people of the UK owed those whose names featured on the memorial "an enormous debt of gratitude". |
| He said: "The magnificence of this new memorial will, at long last, provide a fitting recognition for all those killed on duty since the end of the Second World War. | He said: "The magnificence of this new memorial will, at long last, provide a fitting recognition for all those killed on duty since the end of the Second World War. |
| "It does not differentiate between those killed in the heat of battle or on a training exercise, by terrorist action or on peace-keeping missions." | "It does not differentiate between those killed in the heat of battle or on a training exercise, by terrorist action or on peace-keeping missions." |
| 'Extremely proud' | 'Extremely proud' |
| The head of Britain's armed forces said the memorial would serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices being made. | The head of Britain's armed forces said the memorial would serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices being made. |
| The Royal Family will meet relatives of service personnel | The Royal Family will meet relatives of service personnel |
| Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was a chance for the British public to reconnect with the military. | Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was a chance for the British public to reconnect with the military. |
| "I think there is no doubt that the British public is extremely proud of its armed forces," Sir Jock said. | "I think there is no doubt that the British public is extremely proud of its armed forces," Sir Jock said. |
| "It is equally important that the public understand and support the armed forces, not just in themselves, but in what they do." | "It is equally important that the public understand and support the armed forces, not just in themselves, but in what they do." |
| Sir Jock said with post-war military deaths more likely to come in "ones, twos and fours", it had become harder for the public to collectively appreciate those losses. | Sir Jock said with post-war military deaths more likely to come in "ones, twos and fours", it had become harder for the public to collectively appreciate those losses. |
| "I am delighted that we are now in the position in this country of having a memorial which will bring home to many the total scale of the sacrifices and commitment that people in the armed forces have made," he said. | "I am delighted that we are now in the position in this country of having a memorial which will bring home to many the total scale of the sacrifices and commitment that people in the armed forces have made," he said. |
| The memorial will open to visitors on 29 October. | The memorial will open to visitors on 29 October. |